A First-of-Its-Kind Public Tool for Houston
The Houston Health Department has launched the SAFEWatch Houston dashboard, a new public tool that tracks firearm-related injuries across the city. The initiative, led by Councilwoman Abbie Kamin, cost $300,000 in taxpayer funds, including $60,000 from Kamin’s office. While other cities like Philadelphia have similar public dashboards, this is the first time Houston residents have access to this level of real-time gun violence data.
What the Dashboard Shows
SAFEWatch pulls reports from three Level I trauma centers and compiles data on shootings and gun-related injuries. Since 2019, the platform has recorded 18,349 firearm-related ER visits, including 286 children under age 10. Between Jan. 1 and Sept. 30 of this year alone, the system logged 454 gun-related deaths, with 261 classified as homicides.
Kamin said local health leaders will meet regularly to review trends and develop targeted interventions. She emphasized that the data can guide efforts like pediatric safety screenings or distributing gun locks in zip codes with high rates of unintentional child shootings.
“Just to paint the picture for each of us,” Kamin said, “when a 4-year-old finds an unsecured gun at a friend’s house and pulls the trigger, if that child isn’t killed, they’re rushed to the hospital and provided with lifesaving care. That child will eventually go home, experiencing long-term, indescribable trauma, and their family, along with taxpayers, incur astronomical medical expenses. Often, as a city, we may never even know the injury happened.”
Data Highlights: Children and Unintentional Injuries
According to SAFEWatch, in 2025 alone:
- 1,874 people visited emergency departments with firearm-related injuries
- 505 were treated at trauma centers
- 454 people died from gun-related injuries
While hospitalizations requiring intensive care have declined since 2021, the dashboard shows that unintentional shootings involving children and young adults are on the rise. Kamin noted that SAFEWatch exposes a roughly 70% gap between hospital visits and police reports, revealing hundreds of injuries that previously went untracked.
A Step Toward Accountability and Prevention
Experts say SAFEWatch could guide targeted interventions in high-risk neighborhoods, from educational programs to gun safety initiatives. Regular updates to the dashboard aim to help city officials and community organizations respond more effectively to trends in gun violence, particularly unintentional injuries affecting children.
What’s Next
SAFEWatch will refresh its data four times a year, with current numbers updated through Sept. 30. City leaders hope the tool provides a clearer picture of gun violence in Houston and helps shape more effective solutions.
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